Denying entry to Europe in the coming months to citizens of the United States would result in a loss of 1.8 billion euros for the Italian economy, according to a union.
“Travelers from the United States are non-European tourists who appreciate Italy the most,” according to the Coldiretti union.
KEYSTONE
Closing European borders to Americans this summer due to the pandemic would result in a loss of 1.8 billion euros for the Italian economy, the main agricultural union, Coldiretti, said on Sunday.
12.4 million overnight stays
“Travelers from the United States are the non-European tourists who appreciate Italy the most, with 12.4 million overnight stays in the summer,” according to data from the Bank of Italy (Bankitalia) in the third quarter of 2019. , cited by Coldiretti. Their absence this summer would translate into “a loss of 1.8 billion euros for Made in Italy tourism,” said the union in a press release.
To this loss would be added that of travelers from Russia, “who have grown steadily in recent years, while weak signals continue to arrive from Germany and Northern Europe despite the reopening of the borders ( intra-European) for two weeks, “says the union.
China and USA on the sidelines
Europeans must agree on a list of countries that their level of contamination with Covid-19 would allow them to be considered “safe”, which would allow their residents to come to the EU from July 1. This list, which will be revised every two weeks, currently excludes the United States and includes China subject to conditions.
According to Coldiretti, the absence of foreign tourists is not compensated by domestic tourism: only 34 million Italians have decided to go on vacation for at least a few days this summer, a figure down 13% compared to last year.
The union stresses however that Italy is by far this year the preferred holiday destination for 93% of Italians, compared to 86% last year.
(ATS / NXP)
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